and many more benefits!

Find us on Facebook

GMAT Club Timer Informer

Hi GMATClubber!

Thank you for using the timer!
We noticed you are actually not timing your practice. Click the START button first next time you use the timer.
There are many benefits to timing your practice, including:

need some advise regarding career change by getting a MBA [#permalink]

Show Tags

11 Jan 2012, 14:28

Hi everyone,

i am thinking about getting into a MBA program hopping for a career change. would like to get some advises from you guys.

my work background:i have a BS degree in computer science from State University of NY in binghamton. After graduation, i start working in a small retail business in upstate NY, in a small town. The company has 3 retail stores (each store only has one or two staffs), the management structure was pretty messy.

I work there for 6 years.

first year, I worked as a IT specialist, just taking care computer problem and write some simple computer program for employee management.

next two years, i learn more about the business side of the company, and got promoted as a assistant manager. Because the company was so small, i was involved in different areas. i had to do some HR works, like hiring, firing, interview, training, etc. I had to do some marketing work, like advertisement, promotion, etc. The problem is, i didn't have any academic background in business administration (in fact, none of my supervisors or the owners have any degree in business management), i just learn things myself as i work.

next three years, i was promoted as the general manager, directly under the business owner. at the time, i start a couple projects that aim to improve the company management structure. with a better structure, we were able to open up three more stores in the nearby location, which added up a total of 6 stores.

The problem i am facing is: with the limited resources and the limited business management knowledge (me and the owners), i know that the company is not going to grow.

i thought about getting a different job. but i don't think my experience will lead me to any big company because i just kinda learn all these things myself, i have no professional experience. i don't even know if this is how things are done in the big companies. and they are paying my 80k, so i don't want to just go back to a entry level job and get those 'professional experience' from a big company.

that is why i start thinking about MBA for a career change. i should be able to get a 700~730 gmat score. assuming i could sell my work experience, i hope i can get into a top 30 or even top 15 MBA program.

Question:i am interested in marketing, or information management (because of my BS in computer science). but with such limited PROFESSIONAL work experience in these field, is the MBA program going to let me have a successful career change into those fields? or at least some professional experience or some corporation exposure is necessary in order to have such career change?

by the way, english is not my first language, but i have no problem communicating with people (although they can easily tell that english is not my native language). is that considered as a weakness in marketing field?